National Republican., 1887-05-24
CONSULAR NOTES.

Judge Lambert Tree, United States min
lster to Belgium, Ia In Washington. Being
Interviewed by one Of the REPuBLICAN's
emissaries on the subject OF our relations
with Belgium he said "There IA nothing In
the relations between Belgium aud the
United States which made my visit here
necessary. On the contrary, everything Is
In perfect harmony between the two
countries The business between our
country and Belgium is constantly increas-
ing. The diplomatic and commercial re.
lations are continuously extending aud
growing more important. The United
States, think, is the second largest ex-
porter from Belgium, the Argentine ReDub.
lie alone surprising us. We have surpassed
Great Britain In the amount OF exports
from that country. We also send very
largely OF our products to Belgium. The
line OF steamers running from New York to
Antwerp-the Red Star llne-l am told is
doing an immense business all the time, aud
now there are q great many travellers to
Europe who make Antwerp their port Of
entry. Brussels is a beautiful city. IL has
a model city government In many RESPECTS
we might learn lesson In municipal affairs
from Brussels. It is exceptionally clean.
Belgium itself is very pleasing country.
There is much handsome scenery, and
there are fine specimens OF ar
the fact that 1t has too much population.
Belgium is happy and prosperous coun.
try. The Belgians are an industrious,
thrifty, and easily governed people. They
would make excellent immigrants and
good citizens In any country. But they are
little disposed to leave their own country,
to which they seem to be fondly attached.
However, 1t would be better, perhaps, for
Belgium, and better for many Of the Bel
rria ha N mil Np
a million and half Of the population by
emigration to other lands. There are many
other countries that would be enriched by
| such population, the excess OF which
tends to impoverish Belgium, or rather to
make hard lives for the workingmen there.
Still, on the whole, Belgium is ilourishing.
Antwerp is the second seaport OF Europe
now, coming next to Liverpool. 1t has
more commerce than any port OF the CONT
nent, and Its commerce, as well as the
wealth Of the city, is constantly increas
ing.n
The Department Of State has received
information from the vice consul general ai
st. Petersburg that an agricultural ex.
hibition, with competition In agricultural i'm
plements and machinery, will be held al
Kharkoff, Russia between Oct. and Oct
22, 1887 Americans can compete In ex-
hibiJs of ho, SEES, cattle, swine, poultry
bees, and agricultural implements and
machinery.
Commercial Agent Smith reports from
Mayence that the peronospora, which is Q
pest as rapacious as the phylloXera, ha,
made its appearance In the vineyards o
Germany, threatening to accomplish on tn,
Moselle and Rhine what the phylloxera ha,
failed to efrect-the destruction Of the vine
yards on the banks Of those rivers; and tn,
vine dressers are filed with alarm for tn,
future. The chamber of commerce at Cob
lenz has called the attention OF the govern
ment at Berlin to the pest, and asks thai
the remedy adopted in America, Of burning
the leaves upon which the insect has fixed
Its seat, be employed by the police.
The Japanese visitors, including the min
lister OF agriculture and commerce, and
others, called at the State Department las
Tuesday, and were presented by the Jap
anese minister to Secretary Bayard. Mr.
Bayard accompanied them to the whit,
house, where they were received by til,
president In the blue parlor. Introduction
were made and few moments conversation
carried on through an Interpreter. Mrs
Cleveland did not come down to receive
the callers, although one Of the party IL
credited with the gallant remark that hi
purpose In coming to America was to Sc,
the Presidents beautiful wife.